Illinois Basketball: Braggin’ Rights game big for Illini program
The Illinois basketball team takes on the Missouri Tigers tonight in the annual Braggin’ Rights game.
This is a big game for both programs. The tradition of the Braggin’ Rights game is rarely matched in the college basketball world and that is one of the reasons why the game tonight is big.
Illinois currently leads the series against Missouri, 27-15, with the last four wins going to the Illini. This four-game winning streak for Illinois comes after a four-game winning streak from Missouri that spanned the last three years of the Bruce Weber era and the first year under John Groce.
Really, this rivalry has been one of streaks. It rarely goes back and forth. The series is rarely without a ranked team as well. The last three years have been rough for both programs, so neither team has been ranked. But, the previous 15 matchups prior to the last three years have seen 12 out of 15 years with at least one team being ranked.
The series continues tonight with this great rivalry, and there is a little extra mustard to this hot dog this season.
At one time, Illinois had a talented big man commit named Jeremiah Tilmon. Illini Nation was excited to have this kid come to Champaign. But, one thing led to another and he ended up decommitting and going to Missouri. This had a little “Eric Gordon” stink to it for Illini fans. Tilmon was supposed to be our recruit. He was supposed to be the big man that we are desperately missing right now.
Illinois fans have to get over it, though. This is the matchup we have been waiting for since Tilmon bolted. The Illini have a chance to prove we are a program that is just fine with or without him. I hope nothing but the best for Tilmon on his journey to the NBA, but tonight is about getting one back. Tonight is about showing him Champaign should have been the place to be.
On top of the big rivalry and the Tilmon feud, Illinois needs this win tonight for the sake of their season. They are 8-5 right now and another non-conference loss would really hurt any prayer of getting to the NCAA tournament. The chances right now are slim as it is.
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So, there is a lot riding on tonight’s game. A win means we put another tally in the W column. It means we get a victory over a recruit who decided Champaign wasn’t a good enough destination for him. And a win means we are still alive for the postseason. Overall, this is a pretty big game for the program.